Sea of Stars by Bartol Amy A

Author:Bartol, Amy A. [Bartol, Amy A.]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 1477828230
Publisher: 47North
Published: 2015-03-29T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 9

SKYE BELLS RINGING

As Trey and I plummet away from the skywalk, my hair streams back from my face. Panicking, I’m unable to breathe in more than shallow breaths. The wind is so loud and it tears at our clothes as they ripple in the descent. Trey lets go of my waist, moving away from me so that we’re no longer clutching each other, but only clasped together by his hand in mine. I’m facedown, spread out like a starfish, watching the water growing larger by the second.

My view is obscured for a moment as an unmanned hovercycle careens beneath us. Recognition dawns on me; it’s Trey’s hoverbike—the same one that brought us here from the palace a few nights ago. Was it only a few nights ago? I think in confusion. The hovercycle positions itself directly under Trey as the hatch opens, allowing him to fall into its open cabin. His legs straddle the seat while he pulls me by my hand so that I fall onto the vehicle behind him. He brings my hand to his waist; I seize it and wrap my other arm around him, gripping him tightly. My cheek presses against his back as I hug him with what strength I have left.

The hatch closes around us; the sound of the wind is immediately cut off. It’s very quiet, with only the hum of the hovercycle. Trey takes control of the bike; it veers to the right, banking and coming around the other way. Through the sound system of the vehicle, Wayra’s voice echoes as he emits a loud whoop. “Baw-da-baw! I want to do that again!”

His elation is matched by that of Jax’s voice, as he asks, “Did you see the look on those knob knockers’ faces when we all jumped from the skywalk?” Jax’s hovercycle comes abreast of ours, hugging our side in a defensive position. I shift my face to look in the other direction and see Wayra’s hovercycle as well. A small group of hoverbikes joins us, weaving around buildings. The darkening denim-blue sky is unzipped by choking columns of black smoke. I recognize Hollis. Drex has Fenton on his hovercycle with him. Seeing the destruction of the ship, however, causes their laughter to die down quickly. “We have to evacuate,” Trey’s voice rumbles through his back, tickling my cheek.

“Do we follow protocol seven one nine—evacuate to ground—regroup—hook up with a ground base?” Wayra asks.

Trey’s voice rumbles again, “We’re hunted—by both sides. We act like civvies for now until we can make our case with whoever is left to take command. For now, our mission is to protect the priestess against all enemies. Anyone who can’t do that needs to tell me now.”

They have to pretend to be civilians—lose their identities as Cavars?

The com is silent; no one speaks up. “Right,” Trey says. “Diamond formation. Make ready. They won’t let us leave without a fight. Kyon has probably diverted every available ship to search for us.”

At first, I think he’s wrong; none of the big ships pay attention to us as we slink away, heading to the edge of the Ship of Skye.

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